Epilogue
Rona, Montana
Ironside sat deep in thoughts at his breakfast table. Hardly a month ago had Eve told him that he didn't have to congratulate Ed, but that he should at least tell him when he had done a good job. Perhaps Ed would gain more self-confidence and be less inhibited in Ironside's presence if he did. When the Chief saw his Sergeant enter the hotel breakfast room, he knew that he had to say something. Ed still looked exhausted and pale. Seeing Eve with her beautiful smile seemed to cheer him up a little, but he didn't dare look at his boss. As if he hoped to go unnoticed he sat down as far away from him as possible, looking down at the empty plate in front of him.
"Listen, Ed, there are different ways to keep a promise..." the Chief started, and to Eve and Mark it sounded as if he would choke on the words. A confused sergeant looked from the Chief to Eve to Mark and back.
Ironside tried hard to remember what exactly Eve had said – Eve who always found the right words to cheer up people. Then he recalled: "What I want to say is – Ed, you did right."*
Eve and Mark broke out in laughter. Ed, who had not heard this a few weeks ago, didn't know what to make of their hilarity. But as even the Chief started to grin widely he relaxed and assumed that things were more or less back to normal, which was the best thing that could happen.
San Francisco, Ironside's office
About 15 months later, February 1969**
Stark walked into Ironside's office. He had served his prison sentence and looked visibly thinner. Ed and Eve had often visited him in prison, and they had talked the Chief into using his contacts to help Stark get a decent job.
Stark greeted the team cheerfully, then addressed the Chief: "Sir, I have made quite some mistakes in my life, and it is likely that I will make some more. Besides…," he said as he backhanded Ed slightly onto his flat stomach to show there was still a considerable physical difference between them, "…I may never be Sgt. Brown; but perhaps I'll manage to at least stay on the straight and narrow, and do something useful with my life now that you have provided me with a serious job."
Ironside smiled at him encouragingly but what he said was not meant for Stark alone: "Like Sgt. Brown you are entitled to some mistakes, as long as you do your best. But you don't have to be Sgt. Brown. Just be Roger Stark."
*Tagged for Murder, Oct. 1967
**after "The Prophecy"; Ed has just been rescued and is feeling quite embarrassed because he let himself be caught
Author's note:
Thank you, dear "Lemonpig", for your indefatigable beta-reading! Without you my stories would be gibberish.
Thank you, dear readers and reviewers - including the anonymous ones! Without you, writing would be only half as much fun!
The next story is already written, but due to a technical problem there may be a delay.
